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Wilmington Police Officers Resuscitate Man Who Collapsed In Local Store

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Police Department would like to recognize the patrol officers, dispatchers, and firefighters involved in a life saving incident which occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Dollar Tree store on Main Street in Wilmington.

At 1:50 pm, Wilmington Public Safety Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a male party that had collapsed inside the Dollar Tree. After determining that the 61 year old man was not breathing, nor had a pulse, Officers Paul Chalifour and Butch Alpers began CPR while Sgt. Chris Ahern, Ofc. Anthony Fiore, & Ofc. Rich DiPerri provided logistical support. After the officers administered an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the male party regained a pulse and and began breathing on his own. Prior to being transported to Lahey Clinic, the man had regained consciousness and was talking to the officers, firefighters, & medics on the scene.

In a letter to Chief Begonis commending the officers’ actions, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Donovan stated that “the individual had regained consciousness at the scene largely due to the efforts of the Officers.” He went on to state that the officers on the call did an outstanding job and are a credit to the Wilmington Police Department.

According to the American Heart Association, Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation, with an automated external defibrillator (AED), can more than double a victim’s chance of survival. Chief Begonis stated that the Officers’ “dedication and professionalism in performing effective CPR and providing defibrillation was key to a positive outcome for the victim in this case.” Chief Begonis went on to state how proud he was of all the responders and commended them for a job well done.